Peace Officer Standards & Training Commission (P.O.S.T.)
The Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission is responsible for developing and enforcing standards and training for all local police officers. The Commission also promotes continuing law enforcement training for the full time peace officers in Tennessee. The Commission is composed of 14 members and includes local law enforcement personnel, legislators, and Tennessee citizens who are not connected with law enforcement. The work of the Commission is supported by two staff members, as well as by the Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy staff.
Serving as the primary regulatory body for Tennessee law enforcement, the P.O.S.T. Commission develops and enforces standards for law enforcement agencies statewide including physical, educational, and proficiency skills requirements for both employment and training. In addition to setting standards, the Commission certifies law enforcement training instructors, curricula, and specialized schools. Training programs that may seek P.O.S.T. certification include the basic police training required of all new recruits and continuing education training programs officers complete to fulfill the P.O.S.T. required 40 hours of in-service training each year.